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Based on the research, air pollution in your home, such as pollen, pet dander, mold spores, and dust mites can cause some health concerns if you have asthma or allergies. Avoiding the things you’re allergic to is sometimes impossible, especially if you have no control over the presence of these allergens. Fortunately, you can worry less about exposure to pollen and dust, which causes breathing problems, thanks to HEPA filters.
How Does A HEPA Air Filter Work?
Having an air purifier in your home means you’ll spend less worrying about the things giving you breathing problems such as pollen and dust. HEPA, which stands for High-Efficiency Particulate Air Filter, works with an air purifier to get rid of air contaminants inside your home.
The main purpose of these quiet and effective devices is to eliminate even the tiniest of air pollutants. These include pet fur, pollen, dust mites, spores, and even smoke. HEPA filters are typically installed inside your air purifier and powered by electricity.
Additionally, it also comes with fans that rotate to pull in the polluted air towards the filter. Once the air is pushed within the filter, every particle up to 0.3 microns in size and above will be trapped. As a result, clean and fresh air will circulate back to the entire room.
How To Choose And Use A HEPA Filter
The majority of air purifiers today come with HEPA filters. These units are usually portable and small and may work well in a single room. If you’re in the market for one, make sure to find out how much air it can clean. Also, it should have a size big enough to handle the room where you’ll use it.
It is recommended to place it in a room where you’ll be spending a lot of time like your bedroom. There are also vacuum cleaners that feature HEPA filters. These cleaning tools can trap even more dust through their exhaust. They also yield fewer microscopic dust mites and dirt back in your room when you’re vacuuming. According to some homeowners, they see improvement in their allergy symptoms upon using these vacuum cleaners.
What’s A True HEPA?
Technically, True HEPA is a marketing terminology. However, it is also what many people use to distinguish European and US HEPA standards.
HEPA air purifiers in European countries only need to capture around 85% of particles at 0.3 microns in size. On the other hand, the American standard is 99.97%. Thus, the standard in the US is often regarded as True HEPA.
Keep in mind that Europe or US accrediting bodies do not recognize other varieties such as HEPA-type, HEPA-like, and Ultra HEPA.
Benefits Of HEPA Filters
- Improve the air quality in your home.
Aside from reducing pollutant exposure, a HEPA filter can also improve the overall quality of air inside your house. As an example, you’ll have a more enjoyable and fresher air condition by getting rid of smoke particles.
- You’ll have peace of mind.
If your air purifier has HEPA filters, you’ll be at ease knowing that your home is allergen-free. Make sure to purchase original ones since they last longer, thus it’ll relieve you the trouble of having to change them every few weeks.
- Eliminate 99% of air pollutants.
The best HEPA filter can remove as much as 99% of pollution in the air of your home. There are even some that can eliminate up to 99.97% of air pollutants.
- Eliminate a wide variety of microscopic air pollutants.
There’s a reason why these filters are considered to be the gold standard in the industry. They can take care of various types of allergens with superb efficiency. These air cleaners can trap minute particles and specific kinds of bacteria, that’s why HEPA filters have very minor pore size. On the other hand, other filters can only trap certain kinds of pollutants. For example, carbon filters can only handle odor, so they will not be able to trap the pet dander in your home.
Before Making A Purchase
You shouldn’t purchase a filter just because it comes with a HEPA label. Choose the best HEPA filter by following these tips:
- Learn its test results.
These filters will go through rigorous tests before getting HEPA-certified. It’s to ensure that they can get rid of a wide array of pollutants. The test result of a top-rated HEPA air filter is up to 99.97%. It only means that they will be able to take care of 0.3 microns sized microscopic pollutants or bigger.
- Read user feedback and reviews.
It’s essential to read some reviews about the product to know if it can deliver on its promise. It can also help narrow down your choices if you’re considering several models. Additionally, it can help ensure that you’ll go for something because of its performance and not because of its brand or price tag.
- Ask for the recommendations of manufacturers.
Most manufacturers can recommend which HEPA filter type is right for your needs and budget. Most of the time, you’ll end up with the perfect high-quality product with these recommendations. Let them know what you’re looking for in a filter or if you have specific requirements like something that focuses on eliminating smoke or pet hair.
Is HEPA Filter Enough To Improve Air Quality In My Home?
HEPA air cleaners can help eliminate most airborne particles inside your house that may worsen your allergies. However, there are also other particles in your home, aside from those suspended in the air. You’ll find a lot of them in your bedding, drapes, rugs, and resting on your tabletops and countertops. That’s why it is vital to keep these surfaces clean.
Furthermore, it’s also essential to eradicate the source of irritants and allergens whenever possible. Using these filters can aid you from taking care of these irritating particles. But your cleaning strategy should also include the following:
- Frequently vacuuming the rooms in your home
- Keep your pets outside as much as possible if you’re suffering from pet dander allergy. Or keep them away from your bedroom or sleeping area.
- Consider replacing your carpets with vinyl, tile, or wood flooring.
- Make sure to change the bedding often and wash your sheets with hot water.
- Use plastic covers when storing your pillows and mattresses.
- Use only furnace filters that are high-efficiency.
- You may also want to use roll-up shades instead of curtains and draperies.
The best HEPA filter can help keep you and your family safe whether you’re allergic to dust, have asthma, or sneeze when exposed to pet dander. However, it’ll work best if you combine it with other steps to improve the air quality in your house.
